THE SHOOTING dead of a popular young rugby player in a case of mistaken identity in Limerick early yesterday morning has left the city reeling.
The body of Shane Geoghegan (28) was discovered at the rear of a house in the Clonmore area of the Kilteragh housing estate in Dooradoyle at 1.45am yesterday.
He had died from a gunshot wound to the head, received while walking home from a friend's house.
Just hours earlier the talented rugby player had captained the Garryowen club's third team in a match against Shannon on Saturday afternoon.
His violent death has horrified people across Limerick, where a deadly feud between notorious criminal elements is being blamed for the loss of an innocent life.
"This was such an horrendous thing to happen, and everybody is completely shocked," said Ger Clarke, chairman of Garryowen rugby club.
"Shane was a charismatic leader, an incredible worker and just a joy of a person to be around.
"All of our thoughts and prayers are with the Geoghegan family who, like Shane, were the heart and soul of Garryowen."
Yesterday's match between Garryowen's second team and Cork Constitution was cancelled after news of the killing emerged.
Other Garryowen players who arrived at a fundraiser for the club at Limerick racecourse yesterday left the venue.
Residents of the Kilteragh housing estate were shocked by the violent event in what is considered a quiet estate.
"It's horrific. I've just dropped off my daughter to play with her little friend and they stroll around here every day and it's a very safe place to play. It's just awful to think something like this could happen," said one woman.
"Nobody on a Sunday morning could ever have imagined waking up to this news. This is such a quiet estate," said another man.
Local Fine Gael TD Michael Noonan, who lives in the same area as the victim's family, said he was horrified.
"It is just unacceptable in a civilised society that such an act of violence can be carried out against an innocent person in the middle of a housing estate in Limerick."
Mr Geoghegan, who worked as a tradesman, is survived by his parents Tom and Mary from Gouldavoher in Limerick city.